Racket improvement-need tips for a new one

[brc7]

Hello. I have been using the same racket for years - Wilson K six.two, and I used to play with 26kg tension, then switched to 25, because it felt like the racket absorved my swing speed/power somehow. I know it is still high, and I still feel like I can not generate speed as much as I want to. I don't like too heavy feeling rackets, but I also don't like to it to be too light, since I generate my own power, thus, I can not feel "the power". Shall I reduce the tension, or just switch to another racket?

Actually, I like the racket. This might be due to bad timing + wrong tension.

 

[Steve Huff]

What string are you using?

 

[brc7]

What string are you using?

I normally use babolat rpm blast but for a try, this time I used luxilon big banger. Nothing changed "much".

 

[Traffic]

I normally use babolat rpm blast but for a try, this time I used luxilon big banger. Nothing changed "much".

Also, what level of player are you and how often do you re-string your racquet (in terms of play hours)?

 

[brc7]

Also, what level of player are you and how often do you re-string your racquet (in terms of play hours)?

It usually passes 6 months, but the last two times it didn't.

 

[Traffic]

It usually passes 6 months, but the last two times it didn't.

RPM blast probably lasts about 8-12hrs for a 3.5-4.0 player. Then it goes dead. Many have reported dead RPM after 4-6hrs. Basically you are playing with plastic in your racquet that has no life; no power and no spin.

Before changing racquets, why don't you try:
1) RPM at different tensions (22.5kg)
2) Different poly string (at lower tensions)
3) Synthetic gut or multifilament at mid-tension

 

[fuzz nation]

I can say that the string you're using generally functions best for players who swing VERY fast. Because it's rather stiff, it only bends and interacts with the ball well when used by players in the realm of either pro or college levels.

Because poly is usually rather stiff, it tends to take a chunk of power away from a racquet - it's much less of a "trampoline" compared with softer strings like synthetic gut and multifiber. If you want to improve your ability to "feel the power" when you hit the ball, I'd say try your frame strung with a 16 ga. syn. gut installed at a pound or two below its max recommended tension. Maybe it won't last six months, but it might offer some performance that you're not getting with a full bed of poly.

I can also say from experience and personal observations through recent years that you have a rock-hard string and racquet combo right now. A setup like yours is notoriously tougher on the arm. If you decide to keep some poly in your racquet, at least consider a hybrid that has a softer string as a cross.

But step #1 is to try a lower tension...

 

[RobS]

If you're not breaking strings frequently and you aren't feeling any 'pop' off the racquet, I'd move away from poly strings and try some synthetic gut or multifilament strings. Despite the fact that poly strings like RPM and Luxilon are all over the professional tours, they are not the ideal string for many or most players at the amateur level.

 

[brc7]

I definitely feel pop as well as control. It doesn't feel rocky much for me, I have a fast swing, and it didn't feel rocky when it was 26kg tension either. I thought it might have been due to swing weight of the racket, but I will try different tension of rpm I guess. Syntetic guts move too much and they are too light.

P.s. Also I realised I tend to return some balls late (close to my body) which absorbs speed and makes the ball return poorly. This also may have some effects on it.

 

[esgee48]

Reduce tension to 50-53# [22.5-24 kg]. The frame may also have to low a SW. You may want to increase the SW to 320 or higher. This can be done with 1-3 grams of lead tape at the tip.

 

[brc7]

Reduce tension to 50-53# [22.5-24 kg]. The frame may also have to low a SW. You may want to increase the SW to 320 or higher. This can be done with 1-3 grams of lead tape at the tip.

Hmmm. Thank you. Do you know if equivelant copper tapes would do the same thing? I googled about this before but everyone says something but nobody tried it before. And where exactly at the tip?

 

[Dartagnan64]

Hmmm. Thank you. Do you know if equivelant copper tapes would do the same thing? I googled about this before but everyone says something but nobody tried it before. And where exactly at the tip?

weight is weight. Tungsten, copper and lead will all add weight and the package should tell you how many grams per cm of tape.

The tip is 12 O'clock on the hoop of the frame.

 

[brc7]

weight is weight. Tungsten, copper and lead will all add weight and the package should tell you how many grams per cm of tape.

The tip is 12 O'clock on the hoop of the frame.

Alright, thank you! I thought so

 

[n8dawg6]

yall stop saying “the tip”

 

[brc7]

My racket's specifications:
5 points HL (even balance unstrung)
2pts HL woth strings.
285gr
310gr (with strings)
Swingweight: 300 kg
Stiffness: 69
Composition: Graphite

Any thoughts? Maybe it is because it is 5pts hl?

I got my racket restrung at 25kg (i know still high) and it really frustrates me, makes me not want to play ...

 

[Deleted member 54265]

My racket's specifications:
5 points HL (even balance unstrung)
2pts HL woth strings.
285gr
310gr (with strings)
Swingweight: 300 kg
Stiffness: 69
Composition: Graphite

Any thoughts? Maybe it is because it is 5pts hl?

I got my racket restrung at 25kg (i know still high) and it really frustrates me, makes me not want to play ...

When you play with a poly for 6 month 26kg might drop all way down to 20kg. Then when you restring at 25kg you can feel lack if power. Dont worry the new string will drop tension too

Restring at 22kg and do so every month could solve your problem.

 

[brc7]

When you play with a poly for 6 month 26kg might drop all way down to 20kg. Then when you restring at 25kg you can feel lack if power. Dont worry the new string will drop tension too

Restring at 22kg and do so every month could solve your problem.

Thank you so much. Unfortunately here string process etc. Is very costly, so I cannot restring it every month. That's why I'm looking for the best option.